Wow. I’m a slacker! Sorry Ann and Chris!! FINALLY, here are your pictures!! :)

Ann and Chris tied the knot at the beautiful Lakeside Chapel at Kindred Community Church in Anaheim Hills! The ladies there were awesomely efficient and the site was a gorgeously simple outdoor site. These parasols were complimentary for our guests:

And Ann provided water on a warm day:

The simple set up was truly beautiful:

Sooo artsy. :)

I loved the simple bouquets of roses with the cuff of lemon leaves that the girls carried, compliments of David Brian Designs!

Talk about curb-side service!!!

A quick snap of Ann’s gorgeous detailing:

The famed Kim Le and co. in action!!

Ann and Chris are soo full of love! At this point I had to jet off to their reception site, Ports O Call Restaurant in San Pedro! The view of the Port was gorgeous and we had one of the best ballrooms there!! Some details…

Ann’s candy buffets was one of my faves! Plus, I haven’t had one of these in a few months… they’re still SO fun!!

These “risers” that we put the jars on are ours! It truly adds a unique touch!

The whole shebang:

You know my thing for cakes? Well now it’s caught on to my assistant, Miriam. She’s obsessed too! Which is great… because that means even though I’m too busy to snap, she finds the time and snaps away for me!!!

Sigh… love this!

The coral color of those roses is drool-worthy!

I snapped a quick shot of Ann’s TOO CUTE to-go containers:

LOVE the sign-in picture that Kim Le brought with her. Their engagement pics are classically beautiful!

And now… for the evening’s events! Straight after their grand entrance, the romantic first dance!!

Ann was smiling and laughing in Chris’ arms the whole night!!

Loved this:

After dinner and a KILLER slideshow put together by the best man, we had our father/daughter and mother/son dances:

She was beaming the whole night, regardless of the little hiccups that seemed to keep me busy!!

Their daughter, Kiana, grabbed one of the other flower girls and joined in… melt!!!

Onto the cutting, which was a family affair!!

A dark one…

And into the toss. See that beautiful girl in the black dress?? Yep, that’s Amber of Amber and Trevor!! Thanks for the referral guys! I loved seeing you two again!!

I looove it when groom’s have a long dance/walk to their bride for the garter removal. Chris was no exception! He took a nose dive and slid on his belly to her!!! Exceptional!

And the last image of the night are a close-up of our extra ceremony fans, which we left out for the guests at the end of the evening to take home with them… they were a huge hit!!

All in all, the night was a busy one! I got to enjoy some great time with the other vendors [nothing like clicking as if you're part of a team]! I got to see team-work in action from the bridal party and the others, behind the scenes. I got to see love take shape and form! I am so blessed by it!

A&C: you know the best thing about you two? You’re in love! You two get one another. You’re comfortable. You can be half way across the room [and I'm sure, across the world] and with one glance someone can see that you two are connected by something so special. I loved witnessing that. I loved being the one who got to take care of you on your big day! Allow the memories that you made to soak in and anxiously await the pro pictures as I am!! Let them carry you back to this big moment in your life, all the enormity, joy, and simplicity that was a part of it!! xoxo!!

The fabulous wedding of Maddy and Steve was featured on the Wedding Chicks today! YAY! I couldn’t be more thrilled. Of course, I got a mention! And they provided a beautiful collage of pictures from the deliciously talented Amy Squires!! Go check out the Chicks and the blurb on Madeleine’s dress HERE!!!

It’s a two-parter, so be sure you see both! You will not regret it!!

Or at least Josh thinks so [just ask him]. Yep, it’s Josh’s birthday! GONE are the days of our care-free youth. He’s 27 today, folks! And I love him to pieces! We took the afternoon off and spent some date time together doing some of Josh’s favorite things [stopping in to blog for a moment before we head out again]. The list of today’s events?

1. Disneyland
2. Pizza
3. Movie

Though I’ll admit: today’s been rough. :( We woke up late and missed out on some time we wanted to spend together. It was freaking HOT out [97 where we are] and that really took the fun out of being at Disneyland [and did I mention by the time we actually dragged our butts up there, it was 5:50pm, which means we got a whole 10 minutes at California Adventure]. Pizza was delicious and I’m expecting the movie we’re going to see as being a “B average” at best on the rating scale. But regardless, we’re together and in love! And we’re having a great time. Leave a comment and give Josh some birthday love! Weather you’re married and he’s worked with me, or you only know him via blog… he’ll LOVE it!! Off to the movies… maybe we can make out in the back row like high school kids… :) I’ll keep you posted!

This is blurry but Josh thinks it’s SO funny, so it’s for him:

Favorite:

Crazy eyes in the Haunted Mansion:

Crazy eyes in the Round Table Pizza:

We’re so in love. :)

Yet again, Amy Squires has blown me away! I love how her soft, feminine style has whisked through Maddy and Steve’s day to show how amazingly gorgeous this couple is! Their tender love is captured here so perfectly!!

Check out Amy’s blog for much more goody goodness from her other incredible events!!

And, by the way, I KNOW that I’m being a bit of a slacker about blogging! I have a fab wedding from last weekend AND a random rundown AND another tabletop setting still in the works, plus all of the amazing pro-photographer’s goodness from the summer still floating in! I promise to continue blogging at LEAST 3 times a week until we’re caught up!! xoxo!

I am HOLDING my breath until Luna Photo blogs more of their totally epic images [which they are promising to!!!]! Until then, these few must suffice…

How classic is this shot of Falkner Winery??? It should be on their website!!

And I DIE for this picture of their gorgeous orchid-draped arch:

Yum, Yumm, Yummmmmmy!Paula, come on, keep ‘em comin!!!

Jamie and Jeff are the cutest ever!! While I was gone on my cruise, my team pulled off a FABULOUS event at one of our favorite local venues, The Historic Cottage in San Clemente [the coordinator there, Cryssie, ROCKS!]. Before I left, we met with Jamie and family a few times to ensure everything would go just perfectly at the ceremony [Calafia Park] and into the reception… I’m happy to report that we have some incredibly satisfied customers!!

As sad as I was to not be there personally, I am so so SO proud of my assistants, and so proud to call them a team that backs me up! It’s overwhelmingly comforting, actually, to know that I can depend fully on my girls! That being said, I think you’ll be seeing and hearing a LOT more from them in the years to come!! Alicia and Miriam- you two are incredible! Now onto the fun stuff… pictures!!!

The ceremony at the park was simple and elegant! I absolutely adore their flower details! Beachy but not over the top. They are truly GORGEOUS [and the deep warm tones are killin' me!!!]:

LOVE that it looks so much like seaweed!!

We did have to shuttle our guests down, because the parking situation is impossible here, but the view cannot be beat! SO worth it!!

After they got down the aisle, it was OFF to The Cottage to finish the set up! Some details at The Cottage, in all it’s glory!

I loved their table numbers! Each one was different and beachy!

This set up flanked each side of the fireplace:

Their favors were custom shot glasses filled with m&ms. Nothing like knowing your crowd of friends!!

I LOVED their simple cocktail set up. Wine glasses, candles, and gorgeous!

I think one of the biggest selling points of The Cottage [at least to me, because I absolutely ADORE it!] is the banquette located in the corner! This built-in “lounge style” seating is great! Providing pillows makes it perfect. :)

The ocean view! I know, if you haven’t seen or been to The Cottage… GO!!!

Jamie and Jeff provided a little play area with activities for the kids just outside the courtyard, on the lawn. I heard this was the biggest hit of the night! Even the teenagers were out there at some point!!

And I loved the way these benches were set up!

I think by now, you know one of my favorite details of a wedding, right???? THE CAKE!

When I saw pictures of this cake, I was blown AWAY! It’s gorgeous, gorgeous, GORGEOUS. SO entirely beach-riffic and perfect. The detailing is awesome! And here’s proof:

A few snaps of Jamie’s toss:

Their place card trays, which were too cute, got snatched up prior to pictures!! But, you can still feel the cuteness oooozing, right??

Just before the Grand Entrance, the bridal party requested [required, wasn't it??] a round of shots! We happily provided them with it!

See how the favors are entirely appropriate??

These snaps were taken during the Grand Entrance. I LOVE how in love J&J are. Truly… they get it. You know what I mean?

Yes. She is utterly gorgeous. And he is dashingly handsome. You should see their son… not even 1 yet and a HEARTBREAKER for sure! And yes… THAT is the body of a mom!!

A tight squeeze of hands [gushing with love!!!] and they’re announced into their party!!

Straight into their first dance:

And everything looks good, until about…. HERE!

Yep, they pulled the old switch-er-oo!! They had a fabulously choreographed routine that kept the crowd in tears and stitches simeltaneously!! Just the pictures are to die for! I cannot WAIT to see what Tony Florez captured from this sequence!!

Look how high that girl is getting!! She reminds me of the princess on Mario brothers!

These pictures are so sassy, I just can’t get enough!

Killer!

I love how whispy and in love Jamie looks in this picture! Now, onto speeches!!

When Jamie’s dad spoke, he promised to keep it short [because, well, at her twin sister's wedding earlier in the summer, he spoke for quite a while, rumor has it!]!!

As dinner went on, darkness fell upon the cottage and the dependance on candles to light the night grew on! Great for ambiance! Terrible for pictures for us. :) But we did catch ONE picture of the bridesmaids calling up the bride to dance to “Thriller” together [umm, masks and all??]:

All in all, Jamie and Jeff were surrounded by love, beauty, and family! Even in pictures, they are so evidently in love. When you get to be a part of a night like this, it stands out. It makes it magical- even for the vendors. I’m so blessed to have met you guys! We couldn’t be more thrilled not only to be a part of your day, but to be in your lives! I, as always, am standing in awe of the fact that I’m allowed to do this for a living! And apparently, I’m turning into an OK teacher as well, because my little birdies are flying!!

J&J: you’re gorgeous! Riley is one lucky kid! I’m so glad you enjoyed your big day! I know we all did!! Can’t wait to see more pictures!! xoxo!

A few pictures from the last night and day of our cruise! Since we didn’t get too much time in Cabo, we decided to walk around the ship and take some pictures during sunset, to always remember this by…

Yes, Josh. The ocean!

Not sure why but I looove this picture of him:

Us in our booth at dinner [each cruise assigns you dinner partners unless you opt to sit just as the two of you. Our last cruise we met a stellar older couple who were awesome, so we opted to be partnered up and share a table. Sadly, we were ditched! We never met our dinner buddies and were told on the 3rd night they'd opted to switch tables!!]:

Picture is courtesy of MiPhone! And another…

On “formal night” [which is typically an "at sea" day for the cruisers] they set up stations all over the boat to have your portrait taken. Of course they cost an arm and a leg and of course they’re ridiculously horrible if you can’t tell. So, we tried to find and do the WORST we could… that’s just one example for you [and really the only good picture of a picture we could sneak!].All in all- the cruise was great! We had SUCH a fun time together just relaxing and re-connecting. It reminds you to take the stress in life a bit less seriously coming home. And when we DID get home, everything hit like a ton of bricks! Staying level headed is tough, but it’s a worthy battle to fight!If I haven’t gushed about my love for The Josh enough on this blog, here’s a bit more: I’m not sure I knew who I was before I met him. I’m not even sure I knew who I was when I married. But, I am so, SO sure now. I’m my husband’s girlfriend [thanks Dr. Laura]. I live and breathe our love. My life is a product of it. My heart is better for knowing him; because of him. In a time where marriage declines, I am inclined to believe in it. Because of our love. I am so, so thankful for that decision I made 5 years ago. I am so, so sure of the person that he is. I am so, so hopeful for the future that we’ll share. And I am so, so, SO in love.

Anita and Jason got married the night before I left for my cruise. I realize I’m a slacker. I’m sooo sorry! I took the time to edit these images whilst on the open sea, and because of the amazing lighting she splurged on, they’re amazing!!

Let’s get to the goodies!!! Ceremony…

The florals were provided by M’s Flowers in Whittier. Incredible!!

During the wedding A&J presented a bouquet to each of their mothers, and pulled a single rose from each for their fathers!

The couple got married at Anita’s family’s church, Concordia Lutheran. I loved the history there, and the church was PACKED!

Before the actual ceremony, after all the guests were seated, A&J played a 15 minute slideshow cataloging their relationship and then setting the stage for their nuptials!

The fabulous Crissy Farah not only worked it out at their engagement session [clearly shown here by their killer enlargement] but accompanied me on the Day-Of [and BONUS! Jonilyn was there backing her up, too!!].

At work!

They had soo many great, funny, quirky ceremony moments! The crowd was laughing, the party was laughing, Anita and Jay were laughing… it was such a fun personal time!

Married!!!

Over to the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel for the reception. I LOVE that Anita let the hotel dictate her color scheme. She took the bright colors and RAN with it!

Aren’t these to die for??

And inside the room for a few more details…

Ugh, these centerpieces are amazing!! If flowers didn’t die, I would be a happier lady!

Outside of the room, displayed on an easel, was the whiteboard that Jason wrote Anita the night he proposed. This is, essentially, their proposal story!!

Their table numbers were too cute!

Cute little ribbon wrap and menu at each place setting!

I have a gagillion pictures of this cake. When it’s accompanied by the up-lighting, it gets stupid-beautiful!

During cocktail hour, some portraits took place with the amazing hotel lighting…

I cannot WAIT to see what Crissy is going to deliver!!

And now, onto the reception! Straight after the grand entrance, we danced! Their first dance was magically beautiful with the ambient lighting [2 follow-spots for the room... 2!!! I was in love!]:

Oh, some more cake pics. Half with blue up-lighting, half with amber [that is how the room was split- every other light! Soo neat!]

An impromptu kiss from the couple [apparently they took that glass clinking pretty seriously!]:

And onto speeches:

Okay, okay, so he’s making fun of Jason for balding… [this is Anita's dad, by the way, speaking]

Onto the cutting!!

I loooove Anita’s attitude here:

The shadow that the spotlight created on the wall behind them was unreal! Sooo gorgeous!!

And now, after a few words from our bride and groom, a presentation to one of the groom’s best friends, Mark. It was after all, his birthday!

So they gave him a surfboard shaped brownie cake, made by Jason’s sister. Too much!!!

And of course he had to cut it [and I'll admit, after this he tried to feed Jason as well...]

After the cake was cut, we proceeded into the father-daughter and mother-son dance…

Anita provided baskets of sandals for her guests to dance with! These puppies were snatched up before the baskets were even down! See that hand??

And, my FAVORITE part of the evening… at 11pm, the hotel brought out little mini slider burgers for all the guests to enjoy as a late-night dancing snack! The slider station was a hit and soo delicious! :)

And, as we packed up, another close up shot of their menus…

As the sliders went out, A&J requested all the guests left to get onto the dance floor for a group picture. I snagged a shot, as the dancing lights went on all around them!

Of course, the photobooth pictures HAD to appear on the blog [that's me and my assistant, Miriam]!

Thanks to Cheesy Photobooths for being awesome as always!! And to wrap up, a few moody broody shots of Anita’s personal details for the day:

I hope you all enjoyed the pictures! Honestly, I’m not sure my images captured the love, beauty, and joy surrounding this day! Anita put together this entire event and truly, it was a pleasure to work and be a part of! When all of the vendors feel like a team, there is NOTHING better! We all pulled together a truly gorgeous event for A&J, and they were nothing but gracious about it. To be honest, they were soo into one another that I’m not positive they noticed any of the details! So, guys, these pics are for you to remember by!! :)

A&J: you two are the best! I love how naturally comfortable you are in your love. It’s apparent. Being best friends is the best part of marriage, and seeing you together, I know you have that down! Keep on soaking in the love you two share- it’ll keep rubbing off on the people you meet! I know it did on me!! xoxo!